A role model for entrepreneurs and institution builders alike, N Sankar was an unusual combination of business acumen and ethical conviction – upright, farsighted, innovative. Ethics and Corporate governance were an article of faith with Sankar.

N Sankar obtained his B.Sc. (Tech) in Chemical Engineering from the AC College of Technology, University of Madras, graduating First Class with distinction. He thereafter received his master’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago.

Sankar served on the Boards of a few companies outside the Group, such as NOCIL Limited; FLSmidth Private Limited, the Indian subsidiary of FLSmidth A/S, Denmark; and the India Advisory Board of CRH plc, Ireland. In addition, over the years, he held office in several public bodies representing trade and industry, including President, ASSOCHAM, Chairman, Indo-US Joint Business Council, Chairman, Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President, Madras Management Association.

Sankar is the recipient of several ‘Lifetime Achievement Awards and Recognitions for his services to business and industry, including the FICCI – Chemicals and Petrochemicals Award (2019) for distinguished contribution to the Petrochemical Industry, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Chemical Council (2015), Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chemicals & Petrochemicals Manufacturers’ Association (2012), Lifetime Achievement Award at TiECON Chennai (2010), Rasa Udyog Ratna from the Chemical Industries Association (2008), Lala Shriram National Award for Leadership in Chemical Industry’ from the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (1995). He was elected a Fellow of the IIChE and an honorary member of the Chemical Industries Association.

Sankar was involved with the management of many educational and charitable organisations. He was a member of the Management Boards of the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, the Cancer Institute Chennai, the Chennai Willingdon Corporate Foundation, and other similar organisations.

Keenly interested in sports, he was the Vice President of the All India Tennis Association and President of the Tamil Nadu Cricket and Tennis Associations. Sankar was the Honorary Consul General for Denmark in South India since 1989 and was awarded the ‘Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog, First Class’ by the Danish Government in recognition of his services.

N. Sankar, Chairman of The Sanmar Group, passed away on 17 April 2022. His son, Vijay Sankar, carries forward his legacy, steering the Group towards new frontiers of success and innovation.